It’s difficult to imagine the pressure that Aaron Judge is dealing with in his pursuit of home run No. 62. And through it all, Judge hasn’t shown much visual frustration — even as opposing pitching staffs generally pitched around him.
But Tuesday’s Game 1 doubleheader against the Texas Rangers was a different story.
The Rangers — having already been eliminated from postseason contention — said ahead of the series that they would pitch to Judge. And through two games, they had been true to that word. Yet, Judge’s homer drought appears to no longer be from a lack of pitches to hit. As we saw in the fifth inning on Tuesday, Judge is just missing pitches he’d normally send into the seats.
AB#3 – Judge with a harmless pop out to first. pic.twitter.com/MhJNNJ94MN
— Joe Trahan (@JoeTrahan) October 4, 2022
Facing Rangers pitcher Jon Gray, Judge had a prime opportunity to break Roger Maris’ American League home run record on a slider that hung over the center of the plate. Judge, though, ended up popping out to first base. And as he made his way into the dugout, we saw a rare display of frustration from the Yankees slugger when he slammed his helmet.
Judge starting to show a little frustration pic.twitter.com/FsBXmih5hx
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) October 4, 2022
Judge knew that was a pitch he should have crushed. His frustration was a sign of a player who is pressing and changing his approach. He’ll have two more games to get No. 62 — assuming it doesn’t happen in Game 1 — but it doesn’t bode well for him if he’s missing hangers over the middle of the plate.
MLB fans also had thoughts on Judge’s reaction in the dugout.
This was how Twitter reacted
Aaron Judge plays in the biggest market, on the most well known team in the sport and is chasing history, and this is the extent to which he shows any frustration on the field/in the dugout. In other words, very little. https://t.co/SGHNVTILdF
— James Wagner (@ByJamesWagner) October 4, 2022
Like I said he needs a break from all this pressure https://t.co/JpzbaMyYBf
— Marcus Thomas (@Thomas_city5) October 4, 2022
Bro just wants this to be over so he can play normal https://t.co/vRNkusY8LE
— AVG (@Agioia14) October 4, 2022
Easily the most emotion he’s ever showed. Definitely pressing https://t.co/ruprWfklUr
— Cashman’s Burner (@Mark_Trova) October 4, 2022
this has become a misery to watch https://t.co/3wQPYOiZgo
— Leo Skorupski (@L_Skrubby05) October 4, 2022
I honestly am starting to think he won’t break the record. It’s going to be a lot of weight off his shoulders either way. https://t.co/hQZXwNuZqO
— Well…. (@KingSaints23) October 4, 2022
good .. now take it out on the ball https://t.co/ylhyWibLts
— Donnie P (@ItsDonnieP) October 4, 2022
Ok. But, I've done worse when the hotel was out of coffee, soooo… https://t.co/8uw6yYOMxI
— Kristie Ackert (@ByKristieAckert) October 4, 2022
He slams his helmet and picks it right back. 🥹 He can’t even get mad mad. Lol https://t.co/w1uMeD96tB
— Sheila Marie (@yankeesgirl99) October 4, 2022
He really wants this pursuit to be over — it’s obvious now.
